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Having owned a few wetsuits in our time, we’ve struggled through the ins and outs of wetsuit care and maintenance. The question we get asked more often than any other is ‘Why does my wetsuit stink?!’ followed closely by ‘How do I clean it?’.
Let’s start with why your wetsuit stinks. It’s simple, really. When you dive, you use a wetsuit to keep you warm and comfortable, and to stave off hypothermia. However, before you get in the water, it’s usually warm so you sweat a little and that sweat gets into your wetsuit. Additionally, if you’re diving in murky water or water with a lot of organisms in it, those get into your wetsuit and start to decompose. Finally, even in clear water, there are organisms in the water that find their way into your wetsuit. As with all other organisms, when they start to break down, they release an odor.
Now that we’ve addressed the why, let’s talk about how to get rid of the stench.
After every dive/day of diving:
If you start to notice your wetsuit is taking on a funky smell (or if your friends alert you to the stench), it’s time to grab a wetsuit shampoo.
Though this is the standard procedure for cleaning most wetsuits, double check your manual or tag before starting to clean your wetsuit. Where details differ, always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
No. The chemicals in most pools will do more damage to your wetsuit and gear than the saltwater. Always rinse with fresh water only.
No. Because of the agitation and spinning, you risk damaging your wetsuit.
Yes. This is why you want to get a hanger with a sturdy crossbar so you reduce the amount of stretch and extend the life of your wetsuit.
Yes. In the heat, the cells tend to compress and shrink. Over time, this will happen naturally.
No. The heat will compress the cells in your wetsuit, compromising its intended performance and you won’t be very happy with the result.
No. Even if you have it on no heat, you risk damaging your wetsuit with the rubbing and tumbling action in the dryer.
You’re kidding, right? No. Just no. Since neoprene is a type of synthetic rubber, you do not want to apply heat to it.
This is usually recoverable if it hasn’t been left in there a long time. Just grab your wetsuit shampoo and follow the intermittent wetsuit maintenance instructions above (or the manufacturer’s instructions if they differ).
No. No. No. Please do not ever use bleach on your wetsuit. Please. It will damage your wetsuit and its intended purpose. Additionally, because of the porous nature of the wetsuit, you always risk leaving some of the cleaner behind and you just don’t ever want to risk burning your skin with bleach.
